The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces significant, phased changes for universities, including day-one employment rights, stronger trade union powers, tougher dismissal and consultation rules, and increased enforcement. Shakespeare Martineau cover how universities should plan early by reviewing contracts, policies and management practices to ensure compliance and manage risk.
Author: Tom Long, Partner & Susannah Nicholas, Professional Support Lawyer
Shakespeare Martineau explains how the Employment Rights Act 2025 will significantly strengthen trade union rights and make industrial action and union recognition easier, with phased changes from 2026–2027 that universities must prepare for by updating policies, contracts and management practices to manage increased industrial relations risk.
Author: Tom Long, Partner & Susannah Nicholas, Professional Support Lawyer
Shakespeare Martineau explore the Employment Rights Act 2025 introducing major changes to unfair dismissal, prompting universities to urgently review recruitment, probation and performance management processes ahead of 2027.
Author: Tom Long, Partner & Susannah Nicholas, Professional Support Lawyer
People Insight compare staff experience data with key NSS themes, showing clear patterns between strong internal communication and leadership clarity for staff, and better student experiences of organisation and academic support. It offers practical ways leaders can use staff feedback as an early-warning signal to improve how institutions run.
Author: Jane Tidswell, HE Director
Veredus explores how UK universities are recruiting senior leaders globally, leading to the evolution of assessment processes to fairly evaluate diverse international candidates based on demonstrated impact rather than familiarity with local systems or norms.
Author: Nataliya Starik-Bludova, Director - Education
Wesleyan explain how financial wellbeing is a key but often complex aspect of life for higher education professionals, where access to specialist financial advice can support more informed decision-making across pensions, career changes and long-term planning.
Author: Steve Renfrew, Head of Education
